Bonding Tips
When bringing home a new reptile, it can be hard for them to transition. During this time, you should be patient and understand their boundaries. It is ok to interact with them as long as they are comfortable with it. Never force and always start with frequent, short, positive interactions.
Give them your shirt
A tip that tends to help the bonding process is placing an article of clothing in their enclosure. Make sure it is freshly worn but with no fragrences. They love body odor. This helps them get to know your scent much faster. Depending on your interactions with one another, they will associate the shirt and you in however you behave. If you are too rough and controlling, they may not look at the shirt and you as something positive therefore, not show much interest. So it is important to try to have many positive interactions with them.
Short positive interactions
While getting to know each other, try being near the enclosure doing something quietly. Example, when Winston was new to our home, I would sit by his enclosure for a few minutes at a time and quietly play video games. I didn’t pay much attention to him but I wanted him to see me. This helped him observe who I was. I did this about 10-15 times a day and tried to see how far his boundaries went. Sometimes, I would leave his enclosure open while sitting there so he can make a decision to get out. Then, if he tolerated it, I would gently pet his back as he would close his eyes in slight annoyance. You could tell he was a tad stressed with my presence but each time I was near, he started to trust me more because I would display positive interactions with him. I would then leave after a few petting strokes and come back in an hour to do the same thing. Within the week, it was safe to say, he was starting to trust me.
Hang out in a small room
Smaller the room, the better (other than a small closet). This helps minimize distractions and smells. Try and make yourself and one other object, the only interesting thing in the room. I used our bathroom. It was only me, Winston and a towel in there. At first he liked the towel very much so, I just let him be while he enjoyed himself. I wanted him to do his own thing and figure stuff out. After awhile, he would get bored with the towel and want to check who I was. This was a great way for the both of us to learn body language. Let them smell you, climb on you and get in your shirt. Do not force them to do anything unless they are in danger, obviously. Pet them if they let you. Start with behind the head. When they start losing interest, just put them back and start again the next day. This time, bring a different cool object. Can even bring in their dinner if you wanted to.
Wear fuzzy clothes
They love soft things so wear anything cozy. They will associate the fuzzy shirt as something exciting and you will be exciting to them too. Yes, at first they only love you for your clothes but after they learn who you are, trust you etc., they will have other reasons to enjoy your presence.